See This, Skip That: Maui

Oct. 4, 2013

Page 3 of 3

Skip Maui, Visit Moloka'i
Maui County is home to three islands, actually: Maui, Lana'i and Moloka'i. Moloka'i, in particular, though, may be old Hawaii at its purest: unspoiled, breathtaking and uber-relaxed. From Maui, a 90-minute ferry ride out of Lahaina or a 20-minute flight will get you here, even if it's for a day visit. But you'll want to stay longer. You come to Molokai to unplug, slow down and reconnect; beaches here are so remote, odds are that you'll have the stretch of sand you stumble upon all to yourself. You'll find just one hotel here, a pretty seaside property, as well as a bevy of private rentals. Father Damien, the Roman Catholic priest who cared for lepers who'd been quarantined on Molokai, bestows a presence to this day, through his tiny churches that still dot the island and through his still-existent Kalaupapa settlement, which you can visit by taking a mule ride down a 1,600-foot cliff. Sip and shop at the Coffees of Hawaii plantation. And visit Kalele Bookstore & Divine Expressions for tomes and artifacts that touch on the island's purported spiritual properties.

Gabe Saglie is senior editor for Travelzoo, which features a bevy of Maui and Hawaii hotel specials, as well as local deals at http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/hawaii/deals?tz_cs=HPV0.